When you were a small child in (insert hometown here), did you ever think of what you wanted to be when you grew up? Did the idea of dressing up as a fireman to combat a blaze appeal to you? How about being the first person on Mars? Maybe you dreamt of dancing for the New York City Ballet in front of a packed audience at Lincoln Center. Do you still hold onto your childhood dreams?
I had a few ideas of what I wanted to be when I was a child. At first, I wanted to be a doctor. I loved the idea of making people feel better and curing all of the ailments in the world. However, I somehow got the idea that I could get sued for malpractice by giving someone an incorrect treatment. This idea horrified me. I wouldn’t have been able to bear the idea of someone being harmed due to my negligence.
This led me to my next dream of studying law and becoming a lawyer. I figured “Hey, if I don’t want to get sued, why not help people that have been wronged sue others?” or “There are plenty of innocent people that deserve a decent defense for themselves!” Then it dawned on me that I might end up representing someone that I know in my heart was guilty, but it would be my duty to prove otherwise. Seven year old Ian was very hopeful, but went through all the possible scenarios as well.
There is one thing that has stuck with me throughout my life though. When I was in Kindergarten, our school only had us stay for half of the day each school day. In the fall, I would be at school until noon, and then I would be at school in the afternoon the next semester. Being home during the morning meant that one of my family friends that I lived with had to babysit me.
I would usually just draw or play with my blocks until 11:00 a.m.. At 11:00, I would sit down on the couch and she would turn on the TV for CBS. What happens every weekday at 11:00 a.m. on CBS? The newest airing of the Price is Right, which was then hosted by Bob Barker. Watching him on TV was magical. He had one of the best jobs as a game show host. He would make people incredibly happy by presenting them with awesome prizes that they would never be able to get normally. Bob was even surrounded by beautiful ladies in stunning dresses and exotic swimwear.
I came to Stevens because I wanted a job; something that would pay the bills at the end of the day. However, sometimes I still dream of becoming the next Bob Barker or even Bob Costas. I even took a step last year in the communications direction by working for the Athletics department in the webcast booth! That was awesome. Whenever I am in line for Pierce and I see Pearl, she tells me that one day I’m going to have a talk show of my own. Who knows what could happen. Maybe we should take a page out of Ricky Gervais’ life book: “Got a proper job at 28. Gave it up to try comedy at 38. Decided to get fit and healthy at 48. It’s never too late. But do it now.”
